Capitol Updates

Friday, April 10, 2026

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LB1050 Fails to Advance After Four-Hour Filibuster

Thanks to the dedicated phone calls, emails, and advocacy from NSEA members and Nebraska educators, LB1050 failed to advance during select file debate on April 8. The bill, which would have imposed a one-size-fits-all third-grade retention policy along with significant unfunded mandates on schools, fell short after a determined four-hour filibuster led by Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln. Her leadership in holding the line prevented the bill from moving forward, protecting local control and flexibility for districts. 

The cloture motion to end debate failed on a 31-4 vote, with 13 senators choosing not to take a position and one absence recorded. Senators voting no or not voting effectively opposed the bill’s heavy reliance on mandatory retention over enhanced, research-based interventions. Their stance helped block a short-sighted approach that research shows can harm students’ long-term academic achievement, self-esteem, and emotional well-being without delivering sustained reading gains. 

This outcome represents a significant victory for Nebraska’s educators and students. Instead of layering on costly, unfunded requirements—including more assessments, data reporting, dyslexia screening, and a standardized statewide policy—lawmakers can now focus on collaborative, locally driven solutions. Nebraska law already allows parents to request retention when it serves a child’s best interest, making the new mandates largely redundant while diverting time and resources away from proven strategies like explicit reading instruction, high-dosage tutoring, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS/RTI), and teacher professional development. 

Please take a moment to contact the senators who voted no or did not vote (click here) on the cloture motion. Thank them for doing the right thing and standing up against unfunded mandates that would have shifted costs to local property taxpayers or forced cuts to other essential programs. It is important that we recognize and appreciate legislators who listen to educators and prioritize what truly supports reading success for every Nebraska child. Contact your senator (click here). 

Together, your voices made a difference in defeating this bill and keeping the focus on effective, funded interventions rather than punitive retention policies. We remain committed to partnering on thoughtful approaches, such as those explored through interim study resolutions, that draw on the expertise of those working directly with students every day. 

Resolution Urging Full IDEA Funding Passes 47-0

The Legislature unanimously adopted LR422 on Thursday, with a strong 47-0 vote. Introduced by Sen. Victor Rountree, after working closely with the NSEA Government Resolutions Team, the resolution urges Congress and the President to enact legislation fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at the long-promised 40 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure in public elementary and secondary schools. 

Enacted in 1975, IDEA established a federal commitment to support a free appropriate public education for children with disabilities. Although Congress has long authorized funding at 40 percent, the federal government has never met this level, currently contributing far less. LR422 highlights how this chronic shortfall shifts the financial burden to states and local school districts, resulting in cuts to other educational programs or increased reliance on state and local taxes. 

This resolution is particularly important in a year when Governor Pillen was successful in reducing special education funding by $18.4 million in LB1071. With Nebraska’s student population requiring special education and related services continuing to grow, full federal IDEA funding would help ease pressures on state and local budgets, better support individualized education programs, and ensure students with disabilities receive the services they need without further straining taxpayer resources or reducing other priorities. 

Nebraska member of the National Education Association Board of Directors Ed Ventura and NSEA President Tim Royers advocated strongly for the measure, with Ventura collaborating with education leaders from other states to advance the effort in Nebraska. 

LR422 now stands as the official position of the Nebraska Legislature, joining similar calls from other states in pressing Congress to honor its original commitment. The full text of the resolution is available (click here). 

Review of Education Related Priority Bills

Approved by Governor 

LB653 (Murman) Change acceptance of students under the enrollment option 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB824 (Lonowski) Change provisions to termination of employment under the School Employees Retirement Act and the Class V School Employees Retirement Act 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB956 (Cavanaugh, J.) Provide collection of postsecondary institution compensation data 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB1071 (Arch) Provide, change, and eliminate provisions related to appropriations for the expenses of Nebraska State Government for the biennium ending June 30, 2027 
NSEA Position: Monitor 

Presented to Governor 

LB304 (DeBoer) Eliminate a sunset date for the federal Child Care Subsidy program  
NSEA Position: Support 

LB429 (Murman) Provide requirements and restrictions for school boards relating to professional employees’ organizations 
NSEA Position: Monitor 

LB745 (Juarez) Change provisions to requirements for a diploma of high school equivalency 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB748 (Sorrentino) Change provisions to Nebraska educational savings plan trust 
NSEA Position: Monitor 

LB820 (Retirement) Change contributions by school districts, computation of tax withholdings, retirement allowances, and cost-of-living adjustments 
NSEA Position: Support (includes LB1102 and LB1166) 

LB924 (Andersen) Change powers of learning community councils and levies 
NSEA Position: Monitor 

LB937 (Education) Adopt the Prior Learning Act and change provisions relating to student transfers, school absences, option enrollment, extracurricular activities, and the College Pathway Program Act 
NSEA Position: Monitor (includes LB1146, LB1164, LB1224, LB1241 and LB1243) 

LB940 (Murman) Prohibit certain color additives in school meals 
NSEA Position: Monitor 

LB966 (Cavanaugh, M.) Adopt the Hunger-Free Schools Act 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB1029 (Conrad) Redefine terms to reportable funding from a foreign adversarial source for colleges and universities 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB1086 (Dover) Change eligibility requirements for community college gap assistance 
NSEA Position: Support 

Select File 

LB1050 (Murman) Provide requirements for dyslexia screening and limit advancement to grade four under the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act 
NSEA Position: Oppose 

General File 

LB730 (Kauth) Require schools designate restrooms and locker rooms based on sex 
NSEA Position: Oppose 

LB1219 (Brandt) Limit amount of property taxes that may be levied by a political subdivision 
NSEA Position: Oppose 

In Committee 

LB1034 (Dungan) Prohibit school staff from allowing federal immigration enforcement officers to access schools without a judicial warrant 
NSEA Position: Support 

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